OSHA does not outright prohibit space heaters, but they are heavily regulated. Employers must ensure heaters do not create fire or electrical hazards, which means following manufacturer instructions, plugging units directly into wall outlets, and keeping them away from combustible materials.
Practicing safe use and having guidelines in place may help reduce the risk of fire or injury to your property and employees. Use of space heaters should not be allowed unless supervisor or management approval is provided prior to use.
Most indoor heaters tend to dry out the air, lowering indoor humidity levels. Dry air can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like dry throat, cough, and nasal congestion. For individuals with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD, low humidity can exacerbate symptoms.
Space heaters are a leading cause of office fires. According to fire safety data, heating equipment is involved in a significant percentage of commercial building fires each year. The risk is not just the heater itself but the environment around it.
Always plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip, to prevent overloading and causing a fire. Never leave portable heaters turned on while sleeping. Fuel-burning portable heaters should never be refueled while in use.
OSHA mandates that all electrical equipment, including space heaters, must be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and used according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Portable space heaters that use a fuel source such as propane or kerosene can release toxic fumes and gases, such as carbon monoxide. To avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, use only electric space heaters and never place a fuel-burning space heater in an enclosed space (such as an apartment).
Whether space heaters are allowed depends entirely on your specific office building and employer's policies. While there is no federal ban, many commercial buildings and municipal offices completely prohibit portable space heaters due to fire codes and power grid overloads.
In fact, federal government standards limit the maximum output of a portable electric space heater to 1,500 watts, which is far too low for heating an entire home or even a large room.
Ban of open-flued gas space heaters
As of 1 August 2022, it is illegal to sell, supply or install new or second-hand open-flued gas space heaters that do not meet new and improved safety requirements. This includes having a safety shutoff device.
For individuals with COPD, temperatures below freezing (32°F / 0°C) are considered too cold and can trigger severe flare-ups, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Even temperatures dropping below 40°F (4.4°C) can cause the dry, chilled air to irritate overly sensitive airways.
For a bedroom, the safest space heaters feature no glowing elements and include automatic shut-off and tip-over protection. Oil-filled radiators (like those by De'Longhi) and modern ceramic convection heaters with cool-touch housing (such as the Dreo Solaris) are generally considered the safest options for overnight use.
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
8 (existing healthcare/ASC occupancies), the use of portable space heaters is generally prohibited in patient care areas of healthcare facilities. This prohibition exists to reduce the risk of fire and ensure patient safety. However, there are exceptions under specific conditions, as outlined below.
Kids and pets
Children and pets can knock over a space heater or get too close and burn themselves. Don't put space heaters in hallways or other places kids or pets might pass by. And don't let kids move a heater or adjust the controls.
OSHA’s heat stress requirements mandate that employers take specific, actionable steps to protect workers from heat-related illness and death. While federal heat rules are highly enforced through the OSHA Heat Exposure Emphasis Program, certain states like California (Cal/OSHA) and Oregon have their own specific standards.
OSHA does not have a specific standard that categorically bans space heaters, but they do have strict rules about their use. Under OSHA’s electrical standards and General Duty Clause, employers must ensure heaters are used according to manufacturer instructions, plugged directly into wall outlets, and kept away from all combustible materials.
Running a 1500-watt (1.5 kW) heater for 24 hours consumes 36 kWh of electricity. Nationwide, this typically costs between $𝟑.𝟔𝟎 and $𝟖.𝟔𝟒 per day, depending on your local energy rates and how often the heater's thermostat cycles the heating element on and off.
Portable heaters make it possible to create a comfortable work space, warm up a chilly office, or warm up cold body parts like feet. However, such heaters also pose a risk of causing a fire and potential injury.
According to OSHA regulations, the amount of space allocated per employee can significantly affect comfort and efficiency. The general guideline is that each employee should have at least 70 square feet of usable space. This figure can vary based on the nature of the work and the layout of the office.
Because they do not use standard grid electricity or conventional electric and gas furnaces, the Amish heat their homes using off-grid, self-reliant methods. The most common systems include wood- or coal-burning stoves, propane and kerosene heaters, and natural airflow home designs.
The best type of office heater is a ceramic personal space heater. They are compact, heat up almost instantly, and many models reduce their power draw automatically once the space reaches your desired temperature, making them highly energy-efficient and safe for desk environments.
Bad References or No References
If a reference raises concerns or refuses to comment, it's worth digging deeper. Likewise, applicants who don't provide references at all may be hiding past evictions, unpaid rent, or lease violations.
For bedroom use, the safest space heaters are oil-filled radiators and modern ceramic heaters equipped with automatic tip-over shutoff and overheat protection. These options stay cooler to the touch, don't ignite nearby objects easily, and will not dry out your room overnight.
The 30% rule advises consumers spend no more than 30% of their monthly income on their mortgage or rent payments, leaving wiggle room in case of unexpected expenses, job loss, family planning, and other goals.